Chemical Engineer salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 57 certified H-1B filings in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Des Plaines, North Chicago, Lemont, Glendale Heights, Elk Grove Village.
Also listed as: Process Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $75,602 |
| 25th | $82,014 |
| 50th (median) | $121,190 |
| 75th | $135,000 |
| 90th | $156,580 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $89,224 | $74,484 | $110,000 | 37 |
| FY2021 | $97,227 | $79,098 | $105,000 | 38 |
| FY2022 | $93,070 | $77,625 | $113,500 | 43 |
| FY2023 | $82,451 | $59,613 | $110,499 | 29 |
| FY2024 | $104,600 | $84,094 | $126,152 | 53 |
| FY2025 | $99,651 | $80,000 | $130,919 | 38 |
| FY2026 | $133,509 | $112,422 | $143,924 | 19 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median Chemical Engineer salary of $121,190 is worth about $117,000 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Chemical Engineers in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $110,760 in May 2025 (370 employed). The H-1B median here is $121,190, 9% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Uop | $137,925 | 11 |
| AbbVie | too few | 7 |
| UChicago Argonne | too few | 5 |
| Medefil | too few | 3 |
| The University of Chicago | too few | 3 |
| BP America | too few | 2 |
| Institute of Gas Technology | too few | 2 |
| Northwestern University | too few | 2 |
| Particulate Solid Research | too few | 2 |
| Rna | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $78,832 | 15 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 3 |
| Senior · Level III | $130,390 | 22 |
| Expert · Level IV | $143,924 | 10 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $78,832 | $78,832 | 15 |
| Senior · Level III | $111,696 | $130,390 | 22 |
| Expert · Level IV | $140,837 | $143,924 | 10 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.